NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, left, congratulates Andrew Wiggins of Kansas who was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers as the number one pick in the 2014 NBA draft, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

The Cavaliers opted for immense potential over perhaps more of a sure thing.
They ended weeks of speculation by using the No. 1 overall pick on Kansas small forward Andrew Wiggins, perhaps the most athletic player in the 2014 NBA draft.
The Cavs had many trade options, General Manager David Griffin said, but decided to hang onto the first overall selection.
“We had some spirited trade options,” he said. “We knew who we wanted to take if we kept the pick.”
In the second round, 33rd overall, the Cavs selected Virginia shooting guard Joe Harris, a 6-foot-6, 225-pounder.
The 6-8, 200-pound Wiggins was the Jayhawks’ all-time leading freshman scorer. He averaged 17.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 2013-14, earning second-team All-American status. He shot 44.8 percent from the field and 34.1 percent from the 3-point line.
Many observers thought the Cavs might opt for Duke forward Jabari Parker, described as the safest pick in the draft by many pundits. Parker, who went No. 2 to Milwaukee, might not have the ceiling that Wiggins appears to have.
Wiggins, 19, might just be scratching the surface as a player. Scouts think he has as much upside as any player in the draft. Ever since his high school days at Huntington Prep in West Virginia, where he was Naismith High School Player of the Year, his goal was to be the No. 1 pick.
“It’s like a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment since I was a little kid.”
He’s expected to move right into the Cavs’ vacant small forward spot. There’s been a void at the ‘3’ spot since LeBron James left in 2010.
Wiggins is one of the top defenders in the draft, a definite area of need on the Cavs. That was one thing scouts didn’t like about Parker, who lacked the lateral movement to be a top defender.
“We believed his defense is a skill set,” Griffin said. “That spoke to me about Andrew. All of our scouts loved his upside.”
He said his father, former NBA player Mitchell, emphasized being a standout on defense.
“You can’t be a great player unless you play on both ends of the floor,” he said. “My athletic ability has helped me.”
Scouts wondered about Wiggins’ ability to take over games.
“He hasn’t demonstrated the consistent alpha dog makeup that you want to see from somebody with his talent, but he’s so young with so much talent that he’s No. 1 worthy talent,” ESPN analyst Tom Penn said. “You get the tingles when you see the things he does. You get the wow factor when you look at your guy next to you, and when you’re drafting at 1, you want to go, ‘Wow.’ ”
Wiggins said he plans on being more aggressive.
“You won’t have to worry about it next year,” he said.
Wiggins seems to have played under a spotlight for much of his career.
“I think college really prepares you for a level like this, especially a big-time basketball school like Kansas or a Duke or a Kentucky, where you’re always under the spotlight,” he said. “You always have to watch your surroundings and watch what you do.
“You’re basically treated like a rock star on campus or wherever you go in that state. I think that really translates to the NBA.”
Wiggins said he met new Cavs coach David Blatt when the former worked out for the team.
“He’s a great coach, and I think he’s going to do great things for our team and just help us on the come-up,” he said.
Penn, a former NBA executive, said he would have selected Wiggins regardless.
“Wiggins has the superstar upside potential that you just asked about,” he said. “When you draft at 1, you’re swinging for a perennial All-Star who could be an MVP candidate and can lead your franchise.”
Quick shots
--A source confirmed the Cavs will keep veteran assistant coach Jim Boylan on new coach David Blatt’s staff. He’ll join Tyronn Lue on the coaching staff.
--There were 11,201 fans in attendance at the Cavs Draft Party at Quicken Loans Arena.
--Wiggins was wearing a flamboyant black-and-white jacket in New York.
“I almost changed my mind when I saw it,” Griffin joked.
--The Israeli American Council emailed a congratulatory message about Blatt, who was introduced to the media on June 25.
“David exemplifies a leader whose experiences and values stand for the best of Israel and of the United States,” the IAC chairman said.
--Wiggins becomes the third Canadian native on the Cavs’ roster. The others are power forwards Tristan Thompson and Anthony Bennett.
“It’s a great thing for Canada,” Wiggins said.

About the Author

Bob has covered the Cavs for The News-Herald and Morning Journal since 1995. He's a graduate of Kent State University and New Philadelphia High School. Reach the author at rfinnan@morningjournal.com
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